Fair Trade - the Facts

Some say that globalization has the potential to lift millions of people out of poverty. And yet, 1.3 billion people worldwide have to squeeze a living out of less than a dollar a day, and the number is rising. Millions of families in developing countries are not getting a fair share of the wealth created by their own skill and effort and using the resources of their land.

The world's poorest countries have seen their share of world trade decline by more than 40% since 1980.

The poorest 20% of the world's population now receives less than 1% of global wealth - and the gap is widening.

The poorest 10% of the world's population now participates in less than 0.5% of world's trade.

Source: www.tradejustice.org

The present international trade system, something that we’re ultimately all involved in but that is largely controlled by the rich countries, is both unjust and a major cause of continuing world poverty. International trade should enable poor countries to sell what they make, buy what they need, and work their way out of this debilitating poverty. But it is doing exactly the opposite.

A Beneficial Partnership

Fair Trade has shifted the focus of international trade from the exploitation of resources to the welfare of human beings and the environment. It is a partnership in which partners respect each other.

For producers in the “third world” trading fairly means:

that they can look forward to receiving a fair price for their skill and effort and the crops they produce. Too often, in the free market, they are exploited and fail to benefit. Getting a fair price means they can often do the things we take for granted, like sending the kids to school, or going to see the doctor, without worry over how they can afford it.
that, where necessary, they can get access to credit at reasonable rates. Many producers are crippled, not necessarily by the low prices they get for their goods, but by the high rates of interest charged by moneylenders. Where necessary fair trade organisations give advance payments so that producers can buy raw materials without resorting to moneylenders.
that they can look forward to a long-term relationship that is a real partnership on both sides, taking into account their interests, not just the interests of those buying their products. That means they know they can plan for the future.

Source: www.traidcraft.co.uk/

Koperattiva Kummerc Gust (KKG) is a non-profit cooperative set up in 1996 to challenge the unfair way in which international trading systems are usually structured.

KKG works in cooperation with a number of other European fair trade organizations. KKG is a member of IFAT, the International Federation for Alternative Trade. IFAT aims to improve the livelihood of disadvantaged people in developing countries by linking and strengthening organizations that offer just alternatives to unfair trade structures and practices.

KKG is also a member of Cooperazione Terzo Mondo (CTM), Italy’s largest Fair Trade organization. KKG is run by volunteers and is bound by its statute to use any remaining profit to relieve poverty and despair and to improve social and environmental conditions.

Through its Fair Trade shop L-Arka, KKG offers an amazing selection of crafts, food, paper, cards, jewelry and clothing. The products from more than 30 different countries in the South show an amazing mix of skill, design and tradition.

Educational work often goes alongside selling. Raising awareness amongst Maltese consumers about the injustice of mainstream international trade is a fundamental objective of KKG.

Fair trade makes a real difference to the lives of the producers we work with. Improvements in diet, access to safe water, health care, housing and education and are among the tangible benefits that fair trade can bring. If you would like to be part of this initiative contact us.

	Fair Trade - the Facts

	Some say that globalization has the potential to lift millions of people out of poverty. And yet, 1.3 billion people worldwide have to squeeze a living out of less than a dollar a day, and the number is rising. Millions of families in developing countries are not getting a fair share of the wealth created by their own skill and effort and using the resources of their land. The world's poorest countries have seen their share of world trade decline by more than 40% since 1980. The poorest 20% of the world's population now receives less than 1% of global wealth - and the gap is widening. The poorest 10% of the world's population now participates in less than 0.5% of world's trade. Source: www.tradejustice.org The present international trade system, something that we’re ultimately all involved in but that is largely controlled by the rich countries, is both unjust and a major cause of continuing world poverty. International trade should enable poor countries to sell what they make, buy what they need, and work their way out of this debilitating poverty. But it is doing exactly the opposite. A Beneficial Partnership Fair Trade has shifted the focus of international trade from the exploitation of resources to the welfare of human beings and the environment. It is a partnership in which partners respect each other. For producers in the “third world” trading fairly means: that they can look forward to receiving a fair price for their skill and effort and the crops they produce. Too often, in the free market, they are exploited and fail to benefit. Getting a fair price means they can often do the things we take for granted, like sending the kids to school, or going to see the doctor, without worry over how they can afford it. that, where necessary, they can get access to credit at reasonable rates. Many producers are crippled, not necessarily by the low prices they get for their goods, but by the high rates of interest charged by moneylenders. Where necessary fair trade organisations give advance payments so that producers can buy raw materials without resorting to moneylenders. that they can look forward to a long-term relationship that is a real partnership on both sides, taking into account their interests, not just the interests of those buying their products. That means they know they can plan for the future. Source: www.traidcraft.co.uk/ Fair Trade in Malta Koperattiva Kummerc Gust (KKG) is a non-profit cooperative set up in 1996 to challenge the unfair way in which international trading systems are usually structured. KKG works in cooperation with a number of other European fair trade organizations. KKG is a member of IFAT, the International Federation for Alternative Trade. IFAT aims to improve the livelihood of disadvantaged people in developing countries by linking and strengthening organizations that offer just alternatives to unfair trade structures and practices. KKG is also a member of Cooperazione Terzo Mondo (CTM), Italy’s largest Fair Trade organization. KKG is run by volunteers and is bound by its statute to use any remaining profit to relieve poverty and despair and to improve social and environmental conditions. Through its Fair Trade shop L-Arka, KKG offers an amazing selection of crafts, food, paper, cards, jewelry and clothing. The products from more than 30 different countries in the South show an amazing mix of skill, design and tradition. Educational work often goes alongside selling. Raising awareness amongst Maltese consumers about the injustice of mainstream international trade is a fundamental objective of KKG. Opening Hours of L-Arka Monday to Friday: 9.00am - 1.00pm; 4.30pm - 6.30pm Saturday: 9.00am - 1.00pm Fair trade makes a real difference to the lives of the producers we work with. Improvements in diet, access to safe water, health care, housing and education and are among the tangible benefits that fair trade can bring. If you would like to be part of this initiative contact us. L-Arka, 306, St. Paul’s Street, Valletta, Malta. Tel. +356 2124 4865 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] - Web: http://www.maltaforum.org - http://www.geocities.com/kkgmalta

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